On paper these two shouldn't match: Mango is a Spanish brand built on EU sizing with alpha labels, Banana Republic is the tailored end of the American GAP family with US numeric sizes underneath its letters. Yet hold the two charts up to each other and the letters align remarkably well — a Mango M and a Banana Republic M cover almost the same body, and both brands are genuinely true to size.
The catch is hidden in the conversions. Mango's official US-size conversion runs about a size behind its actual measurements — its M converts to a US 6, but its measurements match Banana Republic's M, which is a US 8–10. Below are both charts aligned by body measurement, the conversion trap to avoid, and where each brand's cut personality earns an adjustment.
The short answer
Neither runs smaller — the letters match by body measurement through L
This is one of the rare pairs where you can mostly keep your letter. Mango's XS (82 cm · 32.3" bust) sits inside Banana Republic's XS (31–33"), Mango's M (92 cm · 36.2") lands in BR's M (36–37"), and Mango's L (98 cm · 38.6") matches BR's L (38.5–40"). Both brands earn a "true to size" verdict, so the chart agreement carries through to the garments.
Two divergences to know. Above L, Mango's generous grading pulls ahead: its XL (104 cm · 40.9" bust) overshoots BR's L, and its XXL (110 cm · 43.3") is beyond BR's chart entirely, which tops out at XL (41.5"). And the cuts have different personalities — Mango builds for a taller frame with long sleeves and inseams, while Banana Republic is tailored, with roomy blouses and knits but snug non-stretch trouser waists.
Mango vs Banana Republic at a glance
| Mango | Banana Republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | EU-based with alpha labels as primary (XS–XXL) | US numeric (00–16) mapped to alpha sizes |
| Overall fit | True to size — the most reliable of the Spanish brands | True to size, with a tailored, standard-US cut |
| Where to adjust | Size up in fitted woven dresses and jeans | Size down in flowy blouses and knits; blazer shoulders run generous |
| Lengths | Cuts for a taller frame — sleeves and inseams run long | Standard US lengths |
| Grading above S | Size steps widen — L and XL run roomy | Steady steps; chart tops out at XL (US 16) |
Women's bust and waist side by side
Body measurements from each brand's published chart, aligned by letter — which happens to align by body measurement too, through L. Above L, Mango's chart outgrows Banana Republic's.
| Size | Mango bust | BR bust | Mango waist | BR waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 82 cm · 32.3" | 31–33" · 78.5–84 cm | 62 cm · 24.4" | 24–26" · 61–66 cm |
| S | 86 cm · 33.9" | 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm | 66 cm · 26" | 27–28" · 68.5–71 cm |
| M | 92 cm · 36.2" | 36–37" · 91.5–94 cm | 72 cm · 28.3" | 29–30" · 73.5–76 cm |
| L | 98 cm · 38.6" | 38.5–40" · 98–101.5 cm | 78 cm · 30.7" | 31.5–33" · 80–84 cm |
| XL | 104 cm · 40.9" | 41.5" · 105.5 cm | 85 cm · 33.5" | 34.5" · 87.5 cm |
The US-number conversion trap (women)
Each brand's own published US-size mapping. Mango's converted numbers run about a size behind its measurements — by body measurement its M matches BR's M, not BR's US 6.
| US size | Mango's official label | Banana Republic label |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | XS | XS (00–2) |
| 4 | S | S (4–6) |
| 6 | M | S (4–6) |
| 8 | L | M (8–10) |
| 10 | XL | M (8–10) |
| 12 | XXL | L (12–14) |
Men's tops side by side
Body chest measurements, aligned by chest rather than label. Mango publishes single values; Banana Republic publishes ranges. Mango's S and XL fall between BR sizes.
| Mango size · chest | Closest BR size · chest |
|---|---|
| XS · 87 cm · 34.3" | XS · 34–35" · 86.5–89 cm |
| S · 95 cm · 37.4" | Between S (36–37") and M (38–40") |
| M · 101 cm · 39.8" | M · 38–40" · 96.5–101.5 cm |
| L · 107 cm · 42.1" | L · 41–44" · 104–112 cm |
| XL · 113 cm · 44.5" | Between L (41–44") and XL (45–48") |
Switching between Mango and Banana Republic
- Keep your letter when switching in either direction (XS through L) — but verify with the tape, not with Mango's converted US number, which runs a size behind.
- Above L, expect Mango to run roomier: its XL and XXL cover more body than Banana Republic's chart, which stops at XL.
- The size-down advice flips by brand: at BR, size down in flowy blouses and knits for a tailored look; at Mango, take your true size in knitwear but size up in fitted woven dresses and jeans.
- Check lengths, not just girth — Mango's sleeves and inseams run long, so petite shoppers who fit BR's standard US lengths may find Mango pieces need hemming.
Measurements are based on each brand's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. For the full charts and fit notes, see the Mango size guide and the Banana Republic size guide.
Mango vs Banana Republic sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, Mango or Banana Republic?
Neither, really — this is an unusually well-matched pair. Both are true to size, and their alpha sizes cover nearly the same body measurements from XS through L. The differences are at the edges: Mango's XL and XXL run roomier than BR's chart, and each brand has different pieces that earn an adjustment.
Is a Mango medium the same as a Banana Republic medium?
By body measurement, essentially yes: Mango's M fits a 92 cm (36.2") bust and Banana Republic's M covers 36–37". Don't be thrown by the converted numbers — Mango officially maps its M to a US 6 while BR's M is a US 8–10, but the actual measurements line up at M.
Why does Mango's US size conversion disagree with its measurements?
Mango's official conversion (M = US 6, L = US 8) runs about one size behind what its measurements suggest in American terms — its M measures like a typical US 8. If you shop by converted number you'll land a size small at Mango; if you shop by the tape or by letter, the two brands agree.
Do Mango and Banana Republic men's sizes match?
Mostly. Mango's M (101 cm · 39.8" chest) sits inside BR's M (38–40"), and the L's align too. The exceptions are Mango's S (95 cm · 37.4"), which falls between BR's S and M, and Mango's XL (113 cm · 44.5"), which sits between BR's L and XL — in those, measure rather than assume.
Which brand is better if I'm tall?
Mango — it cuts for a slightly taller frame, so sleeves, hems, and inseams run long. Banana Republic uses standard US lengths. Petite shoppers will usually have an easier time at BR, or should check Mango's garment lengths before ordering.
